SAN DIEGO – As Nevada and San Diego State went through the handshake line after the Aztecs’ 88-75 win on Saturday afternoon, coach Steve Fisher pulled aside Malik Story for a brief chat.

Story had just dropped 33 points on SDSU and Fisher was awfully impressed.

“He said he likes how I play and I’m one of his favorite players to watch,” Story said. “I appreciate that. He’s a historic coach, so anything he tells me I take to heart.”

Fisher, who won a national title with Michigan in 1989 and led the Wolverines’ Fab Four teams, watched Story hit 12-of-22 shots, including 7-of-13 3-pointers.

It was the most points a player has scored against SDSU’s stout defense since Connecticut’s Kemba Walker netted 36 against them in the Sweet 16 of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

“Malik Story can get on a roll, like he did today, and he can make shots that would make Kobe Bryant stand up and applaud,” Fisher said. “He was absolutely unguardable today.”

Malik Story scored a game-high 33 points, but San Diego State still beat Nevada by double-digits. (USA Today Sports)

Story’s outstanding game went for naught as SDSU’s balanced scoring, with six players in double figures, was enough to oust the Wolf Pack. But it did snap a recent funk, including a six-point effort on 1-of-11 shooting in the loss to Fresno State last Tuesday.

“Coming back from that Fresno State game, I don’t want to end my year like this,” the senior said. “I played out of character and I have to be more consistent. We have to go down with a fight. No matter who we play, we’re going to continue to fight and continue to play.”

It was Story’s fourth 30-point game at Nevada and the seven 3-point makes tied a career high.

Story scored 17 points, including 15 in the first half, against SDSU last month. In that game, cramps sidelined Story for most of the second half. In this one, nothing could stop him.

Story said playing against SDSU’s potent guard trio of Jamaal Franklin (23 points), Chase Tapley (17 points) and Xavier Thames (10 points) was motivation for him and teammate Deonte Burton.

“Honestly, when you hear that other teams have better guards it makes me want to come out and play your best,” Story said. “I feel like we’re the best backcourt in the conference, so I wanted to come out and play my game.”

CARTER WEIGHS IN ON NYEKO

On Friday night, Wolf Pack coach David Carter dismissed senior guard Patrick Nyeko from the team for repeated rules violations.

Speaking about the dismissal for the first time Saturday, Carter said it was a needed move.

“I think it’s best for the team,” Carter said. “We needed to move on. It’s been a big distraction and we have to put that behind us now. For him, I don’t feel sorry. You’re in your senior year and you have to behave a certain way, you have to act a certain way and you have to carry yourself a certain way in this program.”

Nyeko, who was suspended for a game earlier this season, lost his minutes to freshman Marqueze Coleman midway through this season. He did not react well to that decision, although Carter said the issue has lingered for more than the past few weeks.

“I don’t want to get into it too much, but it’s probably been going on and off from the past two years,” Carter said. “He’s not a bad kid, but sometimes you can’t act a certain way off the court. It was more than just the past couple of days. It’s sort of been building up.”

SPENCER SETS THE RECORD

With four blocks against Nevada, SDSU’s Skylar Spencer set the Mountain West record for single-season blocks by a freshman. He has 47, breaking the mark of ex-Utah star Andrew Bogut.

Spencer, a work in progress offensively but a dynamic shot blocker, was recruited by Nevada, along with a host of other schools.

“We were trying to get him, but he wanted to stay close to home,” Carter said. “He picked a great school, and he’s doing really well for them.”

One of Nevada’s biggest strengths this season has been its free-throw shooting, but that hasn’t been the case the past few games.

The Wolf Pack made just 13-of-21 free throws against SDSU, a 61.9 percent clip. Over the past three games, Nevada is shooting 60.9 percent from the line. On the year, it’s at 72.9 percent.

“It’s all mental,” said Deonte Burton, who made 5-of-8 free throws. “When we’re back in the gym at practice, we’ll probably go 45 minutes of shooting free throws or something.”

LAYUPS

The Wolf Pack fell to 7-3 all-time against San Diego State. … Nevada is 2-9 on the road, with the lone wins coming at Washington and Fresno State. … After allowing 17 fastbreak points to SDSU in the last game, Nevada limited the Aztecs to nine in this game. … SDSU reached 20 wins for the eighth straight season. … Next up for Nevada is a road game Wednesday at Boise State.

About this blog

Longtime RGJ Media reporter Dan Hinxman is the authority on Wolf Pack athletics, bringing you the day-to-day coverage of Nevada’s sports teams. Dan has covered almost everything the Northern Nevada sports scene has to offer and will use his knowledge to bring you authoritative and engaging Wolf Pack content. Follow him on Twitter at @DanHinxmanRGJ.